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163 Kinesiology

Pseudoscience is so-called because it deliberately mimics actual science, then takes a logical leap in order to sell you something. In this case, alternative practitioners co-opted the word ‘kinesiology’ with ‘applied kinesiology‘ to add legitimacy to certain ‘healing/therapeutic touch’ and chiropractic therapies. Here is therapeutic touch being debunked by 10 year old Emily Rosa, the youngest person to be published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

I suspect that the alternative ‘kinesiology’ is the K in K-tape, but this is mostly speculation on my part – so I did five minutes of googling.

From the source, founder of Kinesiology Tape, Dr Kenzo Kase. Kinzo was “already a well-known practitioner licensed in chiropractic and acupuncture in the US and Japan” when he lamented assumptions about joints by “Western Medicine“. After much trial and error he developed a tape and “coined the unique name ‘Kinesio’ in reference to the body movement of kinesiology and kinesthesis.” The tape is designed to “Re-educate the neuromuscular system, Reduce pain, Optimize performance, Prevent injury, Promote improved circulation and healing.”

Want to tape yourself up before the big race? Not so fast. In order to do so properly, you need to pay for an 8 hour seminar or purchase their DVD’s at $50 each. They limit these seminars to medical professionals, including acupuncturists and massage therapists.

Discussion (11) ¬

“They limit these seminars to medical professionals, including acupuncturists and massage therapists.” The “including” here implies “acupuncturists and massage therapists” are medical professionals. Shouldn’t this be changed to be “real and pseudo-medical professionals”? Or just plain “con artists” in laymen’s terms?

Just be careful about using the title “con artist” on massage therapy – while it may not have spiritual effect or anything like that, I will gladly go head to head with anyone (including Kyle) about whether or not it has true physical effects.

As would anyone who has started their day with a knot in their back that felt like they’d been slapped in the kidneys by a truck … swung by the Hulk … but thanks to a bit of care from a trained professional you find yourself able to stand up straight another day.

All I’m saying is we need to be careful that the spotlighting of pseudoscience doesn’t turn into a witch hunt that chases out good corollary arts. Physical therapy won’t cure cancer … but it can sure help someone recovering from life-saving surgery to get back to living that life.

Of course! We are in complete agreement. Who doesn’t love a massage! But as soon as they turn from relaxation to “treatment” of illness, they’re crossing a line. Reflexology, “trigger pointing” and other similar “therapies” are scammy and massage therapists sometimes promote them.

Taking what ANY person says with a grain of salt is something that’s hard to argue with. But damning all massage therapists because some “promote scammy therapies” seems to be dangerously close to saying, “Because some doctors promote scammy therapies for ailments, their efforts shouldn’t be considered ‘treatment’ of illness.”

A surgeon operating on the shoulder of a patient to restore range of mobility is just as much a treatment of an illness (or if you prefer to make a distinction, an injury) as a doctor prescribing anti-inflammatory drugs to bring down swelling and reduce pain. Likewise, a massage therapist applying massage to the affected muscles to address strains and misalignment through the relaxation and/or stimulation of blood flow can accomplish the same ends.

I’m not saying that there aren’t hacks who call themselves massage therapists. What I am saying is that this isn’t a good reason to dismiss them all and call their profession a scam. You wouldn’t trust an unlicensed doctor with no references; the same holds true with massage, occupational, and physical therapists. Remember your proverbial grain of salt and you should be fine.

I’m not saying massage therapists don’t give great massages, just that they are likely to promote popular pseudoscience therapies. Their profession is absolutely not a scam, I love massages. But I’ve also never had a massage therapist tell me not to waste money on an expensive item on their menu.

I can see the writers at Marvel/Disney poring over this already. A superhero who gained his powers in a freak applied kinesiology taping accident…named Kinesio. That would be the most metal thing ever.

Or if it’s DC writers, a chiropractor who lost his parents to the trappings of Western Medicine, using the most advanced taping technology (including maximum strength adhesive for wet and nasty conditions) and sophisticated DVD seminar training in his caped crusade to re-educate the neuromuscular system as…The Dark K-Night